Seven All-Night Restaurants and Cafes in KL

24 hour dining in Kuala Lumpur

It is after midnight and you are looking for somewhere to grab some food but where do you go – after all, most restaurants will be closed by now right? In most other cities, you are probably destined to hit some 24-hour fast food joint for a burger and fries but here in Kuala Lumpur we like to do things a little differently. We are known for our melting pot of cultures, and therefore the variety of food offered is bound to be varied, but did you know that we love to serve food at all hours of the night (or morning)?

Here we alphabetically list our favourite after-midnight food joints in the city, so take a look and then hit the streets tonight to enjoy!

Hayaki Cafe @ Damansara Uptown

Not many people would consider Kelantanese food when thinking about after-midnight food options but this place has certainly earned its place on our list. If you have never been to this cafe, you are missing out: they have a few branches around the city but we recommend you check out their round-the-clock Damansara Utama outlet if you are ever in need of sustenance outside the usual dinner hours.

Kaw Kaw Burger Bakar @ Wangsa Maju

The crack about 24-hour fast food burger joints notwithstanding, if you are in the mood for a burger after midnight, please don’t head to a McDonald’s – when in KL, do as KL-ites do and grab a burger bakar! Literally translated it means ‘burnt burger’, but that’s not what it is. A burger bakar consists of grilled chicken, beef or seafood patties, sandwiched between lightly toasted, buttered buns and topped with bacon slices, cheese and other toppings. It sounds like a regular burger but trust us, it is anything but – the patty is prepared from scratch and the seasoning varies (depending on your choice of meat) but never overpowers the juicy meat flavour.

One of the most famous roadside burger stalls in the city, Kaw Kaw Burger Bakar is a 10-minute walk from the Wangsa Maju LRT station. Made on the spot, you can opt for a single patty, double or triple patty but there is also the Tower, a sloppy behemoth of 10 layers of patties and cheese. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare a burger so be prepared to wait.

Opening Hours: 18:30 – 02:00

Address: Jalan 4A/27A, Seksyen 2, 53300, Wangsa Maju

Tel: +6019 371 6674 or +6013 320 4700

Restoran Makanan Ban Lee @ Jalan Ipoh

You’ve just finished your night out clubbing. Sweaty and chilled by the midnight air, you are in the mood for some food to warm you up but nothing too ‘heavy’ of course. One of our favourite types of after-hours food is bak kut teh (a Chinese herbal broth with pork meat, mushrooms and more). You really cannot beat this KL stalwart as it is the perfect pick-me-up late at night, and for the best bak kut teh in town we suggest you head to Restoran Makanan Ban Lee. Set right beside Dynasty Hotel, it is the ideal choice for really late diners due to the fact that they are open 24 hours.

The herbal soup is flavour-filled and light, the tender meat practically strips itself off the bone and the mushrooms are juicy. The setting is a regular Chinese coffee shop with plastic tables and chairs but you are not likely to be paying any attention to that as you will be too engrossed in slurping up every last bit of broth.

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Address: 222, Jalan Ipoh, 51200 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 4045 3009 or +6012 203 6865

Pelita Nasi Kandar @ Jalan Ampang

Pelita’s is the largest nasi kandar restaurant chain in the city and a real KL favourite. Open 24 hours, it is instantly recognizable for its electric-blue facade and serves typical mamak (Indian Muslim) food – think mee goreng (spicy fried yellow noodles with egg and vegetables), nasi kandar (fragrant white rice with different types of curries) and roti canai (Indian flatbread).

The reason for their popularity is that everything is done supremely well – our favourite dishes to go with the nasi kandar is the salt-and-pepper squid (light, and beautifully seasoned) and the cabbage – stir fried with garlic and red chillies it is flavoursome and surprisingly sweet.

Opening Hours: 24 Hours

Address: No. 149, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur

Tel: +603 2162 5532

Restoran Wong Ah Wah @ Jalan Alor

Hosting a lot of hawker stalls and seafood restaurants, Jalan Alor is one of the most famous roads in Kuala Lumpur for food. Located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang and a short walk away from Changkat Bukit Bintang, it is a favourite after-clubbing dining spot in the Golden Triangle area. Locals will tell you that the seafood at the air-conditioned restaurants is really good and inexpensive and by far our choice of the coolest restaurant along this street has got to be Restoran Wong Ah Wah.

There are so many not-to-be-missed items on the menu, from marmite-flavoured pork ribs to freshly steamed tilapia but it is the barbecued chicken wings which are categorically amazing – some say they are the best to be had in the city. Another top-notch pick is the fried oyster egg: a thin and crispy omelette with plump and briny oysters. Served with fresh coriander leaves, it is accompanied by a chilli sauce that gives it a tangy, spicy kick.

Devi’s Corner @ Bangsar

Set opposite Bangsar Village shopping centre, this banana leaf restaurant is one of KL’s brightest gems. Serving Indian food in a simple, semi-communal setting, the highlights of Devi’s Corner are threefold: excellent South Indian cooking, low prices, and brisk service. When it comes to the food, the vadais (lentil doughnuts) are a good place to start but the kitchen’s strength lies with its meat dishes – we particularly love the chilli-infused fried fish cutlets.

You will see a seemingly never-ending procession of diners coming through its doors no matter the time of day you visit – this lively place is that popular. Grab a table inside the main restaurant, or sit down in the outdoor space beside the restaurant and dine under the stars.

Suzi’s Corner @ Jalan Ampang

Located off Jalan Ampang, Suzi’s Corner is a food-court style restaurant with numerous hawker stalls under one roof, so you’ll find a variety of cuisine available here from satay and fried kway teow to barbecued chicken wings. However, locals will tell you that there is only one real reason to visit this widely acclaimed restaurant – the steaks. And to us an added highlight is its prices – juicy tenderloin is priced at only RM32!

Steaks are served on a sizzling hot plate, so they are still ‘cooking’ even after they have been delivered to your table – take our advice and order your steak a little less done than usual. For instance if you like it well done, order it medium and wait a bit for the sizzling hot plate to do its business – that way the meat is not too dry. Even better is the fact that beer is served at this food court, making it hugely popular with the expat community.

Serving authentic local dishes similar to those found in hawker stalls, food courts are a great way to enjoy different varieties of food in air-conditioned comfort at prices that will not break the bank. Read More...

Dining out in KL has become such an integral part of life here that there are loads of restaurant choices all over the city – check out our top five picks for the best city kopitiams (coffee shops). Read More...

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